My life hasn’t been without problems. But I have always felt that I am privileged. By virtue of where I was born – (a democratic country, relatively safe city), financial status (upper middle class), family (fundamentally good warm-hearted people), opportunity (good school, college, jobs), the current time in history and so much more.

But, as I grew older, I came to realize that not everyone has the same perspective. I have sometimes struggled to make friends understand the vast number of things we should be grateful for. To even just acknowledge them.

It is hard when someone is too focused on their own problems and pain.

Recently I was listening to a panel of budding artists speaking on nepotism. An actress had just finished talking about the struggles she still faced even after her family had facilitated her entry into the field. The actor who spoke after her had just one thing to say.

She is right. The only difference is that where our careers stop, is where theirs begin.

Simple statement. Captured the essence of everything I had failed to communicate so far.

Acknowledging privilege is not about living with guilt or sacrificing opportunities that come our way. At best, it motivates us to help those who are less fortunate from our more advantageous position, to fight the battles that they don’t have the time, energy or resources for. At the least, it ensures we remain grounded and treat others with the respect they deserve.

At the end of the day, what have we got to lose?

So why then do we hesitate?

I believe it is because we don’t want to deal with the self introspective journey that it would lead us on.

Isn’t that a really poor excuse?

Surely we can be better than that.